As a fashion, art and Paris lover, and a major History buff, this books could not have been more ideal. Following Lila and Sandrine through their journey during Nazi occupied Paris, one as a dressmaker for Chanel and Nina Ricci, and the other as an art curator, was absolutely fascinating yet horrific. WWII did reshape les Parisiennes, for better or for worse. This book, beyond the storytelling part, did shed a light on a part of History I was unfamiliar with: Frenchwomen's contribution in WWII, which was as important as uniformed Frenchmen's: some turned into spies for the Allies, other turned into horizontal collaborators and siding with the Germans, and others suffered the purges of purification despite zero wrongdoing. Not only will I read this book again, but I will fully take advantage of the list of further reading available at the end of the novel so I can become more knowledgeable on the matter. I surely will not see Parisian landmarks such as the Ritz Hotel and Maison Chanel the same way again.. Word for wise: do not judge History, but read it extensively to draw its valuable lessons.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by this author and I admit I picked it up because of the cover (it's stunning!). I saw the cover everywhere when it was revealed and I knew I wanted it! I didn't even read the back blurb before I started it so I had no idea going in what the book was about. It turned out it was about WWII in Paris and I love a good WWII book! The book takes place over 5 years but is not written chronologically which worked quite well. It allowed the author to reveal the past gradually, bringing all of the intersecting pieces together in a unique way. This theme of ordinary people doing extraordinary things simply because it's the right thing is a timely message. Knowing what is right and doing what is right at expense to oneself brought two heroines to the front in this story and I enjoyed that it focused on females. I highly recommend this book! I look forward to reading other books by this author.

I really enjoyed reading The Paris Dressmaker, although it was somewhat confusing to not only flip back and forth between the two main characters but also to follow the back and forth between timelines. The writing is powerful and I was catching my breath during some of the suspenseful scenes. I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and feel like this novel is different than the other World War II books that can become repetitive.

The Paris Dressmaker is really about 2 women working secretly for the Resistance in Paris. Lila de Laurent is a dressmaker to the wealthy and Sandrine Paquet, working at the Jeu de Paume documenting priceless works of art take from Jews. The story tells of their work in help the Resistance do anything they can to beat the Nazis. Though I really enjoyed the book, I think it would work better as a series or books written about each woman. It was a lot to keep up with the time lines and who was doing what as the book bounced back and forth along through 1939=1944. That being said I really did enjoy the book.

this was a great time period for a historical novel, the characters were great and I really enjoyed the plot. The book had a great story and I really enjoyed the romance.

The Paris Dressmaker, a masterpiece of historical fiction by Kristy Cambron, is to be published on February 16, 2021. Cambron expertly weaves together the story of two women who join the Resistance to help save Paris during World War Two.

“Trekking through the forest with a bullet hole in her side and a pistol in her pocket” Lila grabs the frayed hem of her ivory gown, now torn in strips, as it swept the undergrowth. Cambron, who caught my attention from the first page and held it until the very last word, has penned the complicated history of Paris from the Occupation in June 1940 until the Allied Armies’ liberation in August 1944.

Lila de Laurent, a heart-broken fashion worker left jobless as the couture houses buckle, transitions from the glitz and glamour of the French fashion elite to the underbelly of the French Resistance. With an uncanny awareness of her surroundings, Lila is able to lead a double life; as a Parisienne who defies Hitler with fashion and as an operative, who diminishes the German war effort any way she can. Not only will you love Lila’s courage, determination, and resourcefulness, you’ll love the design of Providence that guides her to safety from the Forêt de Meudon to life outside Paris.

Sandrine Paquet, a loving mother, patriotic Parisienne and faithful wife, becomes an employee of the Nazi Party organized Einsatzsab Reichsleiter Rosenbergthe while her husband fights for France. She works for the division of Special Staff for Pictoral Art in the Jeu de Paume storehouse where she sorts all of the re-allocated art in the city. Sandrine doesn’t offer to work for the ERR, she is watched closely by the Vichy Government and forced to aid in the Nazi theft of art in exchange for information on her husband. You’ll love Sandrine’s loyalty, patriotism, and willingness to sacrifice for love and for a better country as she skillfully survives under the Vichy Regime for nearly four years.

How refreshing to read about such an exciting period in France’s history. Cambron has brought to light the efforts of the many strong women whose resourcefulness aided the war effort. Most importantly, and unlike many others, she is able to present a clean heartwarming story. I appreciated her subtly in teaching about the resistance, her fast-paced storyline, her believable characters, her in-depth research, and her love that exudes from each page. This is the first time I’ve read any of her books, but I’m eagerly anticipating her next novel. In the meantime, I’m sourcing out her previous works; she’s THAT good. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I finished this novel on November 11; I will always remember how so many gave so much so that we could experience freedom and I won’t ever forget Lila and Sandrine’s heroic efforts.

Thank you to Kristy Cambron, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really engaging and interesting story set in Paris during WW2. I loved the focus on female resistance members, as this is something I was less knowledgeable about. The writing style was engaging and I loved how the two stories wound together slowly over the course of the novel. I really enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it as a great historical fiction read!

It took me a little while to get into the swing of this book. This was enjoyable, but I wasn't blown away. I found it to be typical of a genre that is saturated with similar books at the moment - multiple POVs and split timelines, fashion during wartime, unnecessarily long and sometimes hard to follow along. It definitely has a home in a strong audience so I wouldn't be surprised if this was successful, but I wouldn't say this is for readers who after something new or refreshing. Cambron is a lovely writer - lyrical, pretty, and wistful.

Did not finish. Found this book really difficult to get through. It really doesn’t work having both two different characters and four different timelines in one book. It just gets far too confusing and I have a PhD so if I struggled then god help the average person. Will not be publishing a public review on goodreads.

The title, The Paris Dressmaker, is a little deceiving, as this book isn't about one woman in occupied France. It is about several women, but two in particular. Lila is a dressmaker who trained under Chanel and finds herself at loose ends when Chanel closes her doors during the occupation. Sandrine is educated in art, and at the "request" of a Nazi officer, finds herself cataloging the art that the Nazis are stealing and shipping back to Germany. Both these women are strong and honorable women although those around them may wonder.

While these two women are fictional, Sandrine's boss, Rose Valland was a real person and did keep track of the art shipments, and then assisted The Monuments Men in recovering and returning some of it.

Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to review #TheParisDressmaker and give my honest opinion. I truly enjoyed learning more about Occupied France.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

World War II has become quite the “go to” topic for historical writers over the years. While many readers may find this theme to be overly abundant, I am a sucker for a good old fashioned war novel.

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron gives such a refreshing and thought provoking approach to a difficult topic.

The novel follows the ebb and flow of two very different women living through the German occupation of Paris. The depth of character development illustrated through Lila and Sandrine demonstrates Cambron’s passion for the little details.

While I did struggle with the pace of the overall storyline, I found that it picked up about half way through the novel.

I can honestly say that this was a great read and would recommend it to historical fiction fanatics.

The Paris Dressmaker
It took me a while to get into the flow of this book but once I did I couldn’t put it down. There are two separate stories of women and their lives during the German occupation of Paris in the 1940s. The time line does go back and forth so you do have to pay attention to when and who the chapter you are reading is about.
Lila Du Laurent is an aspiring dress designer and dress maker who was working with Coco Chanel and then Nina Ricco but goes out on her own during the war which allows her access to the women of the German officers in Paris and to vital sensitive information.
Sandrine Parquet is recruited by a high ranking German officer to work on preparing shipments of art stolen by the Nazis and she, with others in the gallery, begins to catalogue the art and where it is going.
Both Lila and Sandrine become agents for the underground Resistance.
There is drama, suspense, romance, loyalty, friendship and above all patriotism. It is a story of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation.
I really enjoyed this book and if you like historical fiction with a little bit of romance and drama you’ll like it too.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Not another novel about Paris during WWII," you might think. I thought the same thing and put off requesting this one on Netgalley, as the market is so saturated with WWII historical fiction right now. But, as I've read novels from Kristy Cambron before (shout out to The Ringmaster's Wife), I eventually hit "request" and was granted the ARC. I'm so glad I did. While I do wish this novel read chronologically (reading on a Kindle really hinders my ability to "flip back"), I found the story of Lila and Sandrine to be magically told by Cambron. The story really picks up about 3/4 of the way through the book, as we learn what lead each character on their paths. If you love historical fiction or WWII, this novel should be on your reading list.

"An iconic city under siege during World War II and the bravery of two women who joined the Resistance to save it . . ."
Despite the looming darkness, the novel remains a wistful and romantic escape as readers roam streets that while desecrated and bombed retain their timeless and incomparable beauty. It's a timeless reminder that light conquers dark.

A hauntingly beautiful story of the bravery and resilience of the women of Paris who sacrificed everything to free their city of the darkness that fell under the German occupation. One of the most beautifully written books of this time I have ever read. You felt emotionally drained at the end.

THE PARIS DRESSMAKER by KRISTY CAMBRON is a WW11 novel that will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride.
The story takes place in Paris during the German occupation and the author brings in some actual historical figures as well as some interesting fictional ones. She has obviously done a great deal of research and paints a realistic picture of what was going on in this beautiful city at such a horrific time in history.
The story starts with Lila de Laurent, dressmaker to the wealthy and influential, in evening dress, running through the Forêt de Meudon with a bullet wound in her side, where she is rescued by René Touliard, who she thought was dead.
We also come across Sandrine Paquet, who is forced to work as a secretary at the Jeu de Paume by the arrogant Captain Josef von Hiller. Here she works with the Résistance to document and try to save the priceless art work stolen from the Jews. She has to walk a fine line as she is seen by many as a collaborator.
Another woman affected by the occupation is Lila's childhood friend, Amélie, who chooses a different path to the other two.
I mention the women as fashion plays a big part in the book, but we also come across some interesting male characters.
This is a story about courage, determination, sacrificial love and loyalty.
Things are not always as they seem and suspicion and deception are rife. We see how important it is to make the right choices in life and it is great to see how the members of the Résistance stand up against the inhumanity of the Nazi and Vichy régimes.
It is a worthwhile and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The years are 1939 to 1944, Germany has occupied France for the best part of those years and the French Resistance is working hard to liberate France. Two women, Lila Du Laurent and Sandrine Paquet, are working hard with the Resistance. Lila is a dressmaker working with CoCo Chanel and later on with Nina Ricci before going out on her own. She was designing dresses for the women who were paramours of the German officers in Paris.

Sandrine was ordered to work preparing for shipment the art the Germans were taking away from Paris. She keeps a catalogue of all the pieces the Germans are taking and which officers are taking which art.

Kristy Cambron has written an interesting book taking place during World War II, but I found the plot too disjointed because of the separate story lines for Sandrine and Lily. The stories do intersect but it takes a long time getting into the book before they do. The Paris Dressmaker is a bit misleading because the book is more than just Lily's story. I am not sure what a better title would be, or how to better bring the story lines together. I feel these separate stories would have been handled better as a series, or maybe two novellas. Three Stars.

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Paris during WWII...another war story, another resistance story, another story wherein the Nazis have taken over the city, and Jewish families are taken away and eliminated. I couldn't even give you a count of how many books of this nature I have read. Some a bit different with different experiences, but in reality they are all the same. And yet, I keep going back for more. This one gives us Lila de Laurent a dressmaker for Maison Chanel and the world of haute couture. With the closing of Maison Chanel, Lila, using her talent as a dressmaker, joins La Resistance sewing the secrets of the Nazis into her fashions.

Sandrine Paquet, an art expert, is forced into working with the Nazis evaluating the art they have stolen from both museums and wealthy Jewish families....all the while trying to gather information and find out what happened to her husband who disappeared.

Two brave women doing what was necessary to survive in the midst of cruelty and horror...decisions that were made as life or death consequences. Well written and well researched, you too are there in Paris, and at the same time you wonder what you would do under these circumstances. I will add this novel to the books about WWII that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Taken from a different perspective, it was an interesting read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron is a World War 2 historical fiction set in Paris that focuses on two courageous women. Lila de Laurent was working as a seamstress at Maison Chanel when the war broke out, but when the salon closed she decides to remain in the city, finding a job at another fashion house while secretly dreaming of creating her own designs. When an old friend becomes the mistress of a German general , Lila gets the chance to create the dresses she has dreamed of, while also acting as a spy for the Resistance., and soon she is the go to designer for the wives and girlfriends of all the Nazi elite in Paris. She also has a more personal mission, to find out what happened to the family of the Jewish man she loved. As her past catches up with her she is forced to disappear before she is arrested, In a second timeline closer to the end of the war we follow Sandrine, an art expert who is coerced into working for the Germans ,evaluating the art they are looting from the museums and wealthy Jewish families of Paris. She is also desperately looking for information about what happened to her husband who disappeared at the beginning of the war. Eventually the two stories intersect as the book moves to a dramatic conclusion..
I think the research for this book was meticulous, the author does a wonderful job of evoking life in an occupied Paris, from the eerie quietness of the city as people fled to the determination of the women of Paris to stay chic and polished, always putting their best face and brightest lipstick forward. I also thought she captured the contrast between the decadence of the Nazi occupiers and their collaborators , and the ordinary people of the city who were often on the verge of starvation. The characters of Lila and Sandrine made them interesting protagonists and kept me engaged in the story. It was important to show the difficult decisions they faced and the tough consequences of those decisions.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.